Automatic sprinkler.



v A. c4 Row/LEY.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER.

APPLlCATlON FILLD MAY 22. 1913.

1,2231 ,653 Patented July 3, 1917.

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INVENTO) d By /m ATTORNEY f lf f' ,irren I .ARTHUR C. RO'WLEY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, TO ASSOCIATED AUTOMATIC SPBINKLER COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR PORATION 0F DELAWARE.

annemarie ernannten.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3, 19M'.

ments in Automatic Sprinklers, of which the following vis a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. y

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved automatic sprinkler ofv ,simple and durable construction, which will `fbethrown into operation upon'the rise in 'temperature to a predetermined degree; to provide animproved automatic sprinkler which will remain in operative position `during long periods of time withoutbeing subject to corrosion or other injurious action tending to prevent the automatic action of the sprinkler at the predetermined temperature; to provide an improved sprinkler which will respond lpromptly to a pre- .determined temperature higher than the maximum normal atmospheric temperature, but which will remain inoperative but always ready for action during practically indefinite periods of time under normal atmospheric cond1tions;to provide in an automatic sprinkler an improved valve and means for retaining the saine in position; -to provide an improved fusible link or connec'tion; and to provide other improvements as will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central section, partly in side elevation, of an automatic sprinkler constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same;` Fig.,l

3 "is an enlarged perspective view of a fusible link or connection forming a part of thesame; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectionfon line-444 of the said link; Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 areenlarged top plan views of parts of thelsaidsprinkler; and Fig. 9 is an en-,

larged Afragmentary section on line 9-9 of Fig. 2. l

Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of this invention comprises a frame including a comparatively short tubular portion or nozzle l and a yoke 2 integral therewith, the frame being` preferably arranged vertically and with `the tubular portion projecting vertically downwardly from the yoke and in vertical alinement therewith. The tubular portion 1 is open at both ends and is exteriorly 'threaded from its outer end for a portion of its length inwardly, as at 3, to adapt it to be connected to a suitable water supply pipe (not shown). The inner end of the tubular portion isinteriorly cylindrical and forms a circular outlet 4 for the water from the supply pipe.

For holding the nozzle 1 normally closed a cap or valve 5 is provided to cover the inner end or outletI of the nozzle l, and a circular washer 6 lof copper or any other suitable material is interposed between the valve 5 and the inner end of the nozzle 1. The washer 6 is preferably composed of a flat annular marginal portion 7, and a central substantially flat circular depressed portion 8 which is connected to the marginal portion by an annular side wall 9 preferably a little less in external diameter than the diameter of the outlet 4, and which engages in the outlet 4 when the annular fiat inarginal portion of the washer is in engagen ment with the annular inner end of the nozzle l. The annular side wall 9 of the washer preferably converges or tapers slightly downwardly so that only a very small portion of this side wall could be in contact with the internal wall of the nozzle when the washer is in operative position. The inner end of the nozzle is also externally tapered or chamfered inwardly so as to form a comparatively narrow circular edge or seat for the washer to bear against, thus insuring a water tight joint between the washer and the seat and minimizing the tendency of the washer to become bound to the seat by corrosion. If preferred, the centralsubstantially fiat circular depressed wall 8 of the washer may be omitted, and the washer would then consist only of the substantially flat annular marginal portion 7 and the converging annular side wall 9 surrounding a central circular opening, as shown in Fig. 8. By this construction of the washer and its seat, the ordinary tend-- responding The valve 5 is preferably circular in outline and is preferably provided upon its under side with a flat annular marginal surface and a coaxial circular annular projection 5 preferably slightly less in external diameter than the internal diameter of the annular side Wall 9 of the washer 6 and preferably slightly less in thickness than the depth of the central depression in the Washer. This annular projection holds the valve from lateral displacement with respect to the Washer with the fiat marginal annular portion of the under side, of the valve in contact with the corresponding fiat marginal annular surface of the washer.

For holding the valve 5 and the washer G normally clamped in position against the inner end of the nozzle l, to keep the nozzle normally closed, there are two opposed levers or strut members 10- and 11, one arranged above and supported by the other. The lower lever, 10, is provided at its lower "end with 'st-downwardly projecting spur 12 substantially circular in transverse section and having a rounded orsubstantiallv semispherical convex under surface which engages against a correspondingly rounded concave wall 13 provided therefor and forming a central recess in a circular projection or seat 14 provided upon the upper side of the valve 5. The upper lever 1l is j'nfovided at its upper end with an upwardly projecting spur 15 `substantially circular in transverse. section and having a rounded convex upper surface which engages against a correspondingly rounded concave wall 16' of a' central recess provided therefor in the lower end of a vertical screw 1T, which is threaded through a hub 18 forming a part of the yoke 2, the screw being arranged in longitudinal alinement with the nozzle 1. The two levers 10 and ll are arranged to fulcrum or swing upon each other, as at :20, about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the levers and closely adjacent but normally outside of the line of thrust. and substantially midway between the screw 1.7 and the valve 5, the upper end of the lower lever being provided with a longitudinally horizontal groove 21 bounded by a wall substantially semi-cylindrical in transverse section, and the lower end of the upper lever being provided with a corlongitudinally straight and transversely convex rounded edge 22 arranged to engage against and to rock upon the semi-cylindrical concave wall Q1 of the lower lever 10.

' For holding the levers 10 and 11 in operative position, the levers are provided with laterally projecting arms 25 and 2G respectively, which diverge slightly outwardlyv when the levers are in operative jiosition, and the outer ends of which are oppositely curved to form oppositely arranged hooks and 2S engaging in each aperture 3T.

2T and 28 respectively. One of the arms] in this instance the upper arm 2G, is preferably provided with oppositely arranged compa 'atively short lateral projections-2U arranged to engage alternately against the, opposite arms of the yoke 2 to prevent corrosion between the arms and the yoke.

For holding the levers 10 and 11 in positlon subject `to being automatically released at a predetermined temperature,- the free ends orhooks 2T and Q8 of the levers are connected by a fusible link or coupling coinprising two plates 35 and 36 which are constructed exactly alike,'and which are arranged when in operation with one. side ol one plate in engagement with the corresponding opposite side of the other plate, and with the plates arranged longitudinall)r in reverse order. Each of these plates has a sul'istantially flat body portion which is provided with an aperture 3T arranged between the center of the plate and one of its edges,l and Iwith a corresponding diametrically oppsed-nuu'ginal radial recess or slot 3S, and each plate is provided with three small ror-` rugations 39, el() and l1 arranged in a row orseries extending diametrieally of the plate. and ltransversely between. the aperture 25T and the slot 3S. These corrugations 39. l0 and -tl are formed between four parallel ltel'fs and are arranged vso that the two ontside eorrugations project mitu'ardly l'roni one side of the-body portion of the plate, and the intermediate corrugation projemts 'outwardly from the other side of the body of the plate. Each plate is also provided with a plurality of comparatively short marginal crimps 45 arranged to form radial projections upon one side of the plate and correspoinling recesses or depressions upon the other side of the plate, the crimps preferably.terminatii'ig at their inner ends in oblique shoulders as shown in Fig. 9. The portion 4G of each plate between its aperture 8T and its marginal edge is crimpedV or bent inwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, to bring this portion in alinement with the plane dividing the body portions of the two plates, so that the line of stress between the twofhools 2T and 2S will be substantially coincident with the plane dividing the body portions of the two plates,

lVhen in operative position, the two plates 35 and 36 are arranged inversely with respect to each other, with the aperture 13T of one plate in alinement with the slot 23Sl ot' the other plate and with one of the hooksv 2T .\s thus arranged, the projections formed h v the crimps l5 of one plate engaging in the correslmnding recesses formed b v the crimps 45 of the other plate. and the intermediate eorrugation l0 of one plate engages in the recess formed by the intermediate corrugation 40 of the other plate. and the two outside corrugations of the latter plate engage in the recesses formed by the corresponding outside cerrugations of the other plate, the corrugations being arranged to form a continuous key-wayn The two plates 35 and 36 are held together by means of a keyl 50 of fusible metal which is arranged in the recesses provided by the outside corrugations of one of the plates and the intermediate corrugation of the other plate, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This key is preferably formed in these recesses by clamping the two plates together between cooperating parts recessed to form in combination with the corrugations of the plates a suitable mold for the key and then pouring the fusible metal while in a molten state into the mold. For conveniently performing this operation, the two plates may be clamped between two jaws of a pair of suitably constructed sol* dering and holdingpliers which are arranged. to form combination with the plates a suitable mold for the key. 'By thus molding the pin or key as a unit in the recesses or the key-way provided therefor by the corrugations of the plate, the key adheres to the plates and the plates are securely held together without the possibility of any looseness or play between. the plates and a maximum efficiency of the key is thus obtained. 1f yfound desirable, the substann tially liat body portions, and also the crimped portions of the two plates, may also be soldered or sweated together by a fusible metal, although itis thought that the plates will be sufliciently secured together merely by the key. j

For deilecting and spreading the water after it issues from the nozzle l, there is provided a sprinkler cup or spreader 51, which may be of any suitable shape and which is rigidly secured by riveting or otherwise to the upper end of the screw This spreader 51 also serves as a convenient hand wheel for adjusting the screw 17.

To provide a slight amount of yieldingv resilient action between the valve 5 and the levers v10 and 11, the valve 5 and .its projection 14 may be made, as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, of two separate parts, the v alve 5 being comparatively rigidand provided upon its upper side with a circular coaxial recess 52' and a central projection 52, and the projection la being made of brass or other resilient material and being provided with a iiatcircular base 53 adapted to lit snugly in the recess of the valve and hav-` ing upon its under side a central recess 54 to permit of a slight yielding of the central portion. of the projection underthe pressurey of the lever 10 in engagement therewith, the projection 52 on the valve being intended to limit the yielding of the projection lll.v

The base 53 of this projection may be coinpressed orexpanded into the recess 52 of the valve so as to hold the projection boundV or connected to the valve, or the projection may be snugly but removably seated in the recess in the valve and heldin place by the I kler constructed in accordance with this in* vention, the key 50 of fusible metal which secures the two plates of the link together coperates with the corrugations 39, L.l0 and. 4l, and criinps l5, and eifectively prevents, under ordinary atmospheric conditions the creeping of the plates 'and 36 longi-` tudinally with respect to each other, or other movement of the plates with respect to each other, sufficient to release the valve or to cause leakage at the nozzle. 1n some of the automatic sprinkle-rs heretofore constructed, it has been found that when a valve isV held closed by two parts connected by fusible metal, unless some provision is made to prevent creeping ofthe. parts under ordinary atmospheric conditions, there is a liability of having the valve premia` turely released or opened, resulting frequently in considerable unnecessary damage being d one by the premature discharge of water. In the present invention,the valve is held tightly closed for indefinite periods underv ordinary atmospheric conditions, and until the predetermined critical temperature is reached. When the critical temperature is reached, as in the case of a fire the fusible key f 50 instantly melts, and also, simultaneously, j

ico

the plates act to separate the plates laterally i and to prevent their being reunited by the cooling action of the released water upon,

the melted fusible metal. The separation of the plates 35 and 3G, by the melting of the fusible metal, permits 'the water to force the valve 5 and the levers vl0 and 11 out of position and the water is then discharged against the spreader 51 and eifectually distributed. l

Although only a single form has been shown in which this invention may be embodied, it is ,to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specic construction but might be appliedl in various Aconstructions and adapted to various purposes..

Having thus fully described my inven' tion, l claim and desire to protect by 'Letters Patent of the VUnited States:

1. A fusible link comprising two` plates, each of said plates being provided with a corrugation projecting into a corremondq ing recess provided therefor inthe other plate, and said corrugations being arranged to form a continuous key-way, and a key of fusible material arranged in saidkey way.

2. A fusible link coinprisingtwo plates, each of said plates being provided with a .corrugation substantially V-sliaped in cross yside of said plate, and with an adjacent ci-rrugation projecting outwardly from the other side of said plate, and one of said corrugations of each plate engaging in a recess formed by one of said corrugations of the other plate and said corrugations being arranged to form a continuous key-way, and

a key of fusible metal arranged in said key- 4. A fusible link' comprising two plates, each of said plates being provided with a corrugation projecting outwardly from one side of said plate, and with an adjacent corrugation projecting outwardly from the ,other side of said plateand one of said corrugations of each plate engaging in a recess formed by one of said corrugations of the other` plate, and said corrugations being arranged to form a continuous key-way, and akey arranged in said key-way and fusibly connected to each of said plates.

5. A fusible link comprising two members providing a key-way, and a key in said key-way and fusibly connected to each of said members, one of said members being provided with a plurality of marginal spaced projections arranged to engage in openings provided therefor in the other member.

6. A fusible link comprising two members providing a key-way, and a key in said keyway, and fusibly connected to each of said members, each of said members being provided with a marginal crimp and the marginal crimp of one of said members being arranged to engage in the marginal crimp of the other of said membersto hold said members in a predetermined relationship.

7. A 4fusible link comprising two plates and fusible means connecting said plates,

"eac-li of said plates comprising a substantially flat body portion, provided with a plurality of marginal crimps radiating from the central portion of said plate, and the crimps of one of said plates being arranged to engage 4respectively the crimps of the other of said plates.

8. A fusible link comprising two plates, each of said plates being provided with a corrugation projecting into a corresponding recess provided therefor in the otherrplate,

and said corrugations lbeing arranged to form a continuous key-way, and each of said plates being provided with a plurality of marginal crimps, and the said marginal` crimps of one of said plates being arranged to engage respectively the said marginal crimps of the other of said plates, and a key of fusible material arranged in said keyway.

9. A fusible link comprising two plates,

each of said plates being provided with a corrugation projecting into a 'corresponding recess provided therefor in the other plate, and said corrugations being arranged to form a continuous key-way, and each of said plates being provided with a plurality of marginal crimps radiating from the central portion thereof, and the said marginal crimps of one of said plates being arranged to engage respectively the said marginalI crimps of the other of said plates, and a key of fusible material arranged in. said keyway.

10. A fusible link comprising two plates,

each of which is provided withf an aperture and a diametrically opposed marginal slot, the aperture of each plate being arranged to register with the slotof the other plate, and fusible means connecting said plates, the portion of each plate between its aperture and its marginal edge being crimped inlwardly to form a bearing.

l1. A fusible link comprising two plates, each of which is provided with an aperture and adiametrically opposed marginal slot, the aperture of each plate being arranged to register with the slot of the other plate, and fusible means connecting said plates, the portion of each plate between its aperture and its marginal edge being crimped inwardly approximately along a radius of said plate to form a bearing.

12. A fusible link comprising two plates, i

mately midway between the opposite sides thereof.

13. A fusible link comprising two plates, each of which is provided with a series of three corrugations including two spaced corrugations integral with and projecting outwardly from one side of each plate and forming corresponding spaced recesses upor the other side of each plate and an intermediate corrugation integral with and projecting outwardly from the other side of each plate and forming a corresponding intermediate recess on the first said mentioned side of each plate, and the said spaced corrugations of one plate engaging in the said spaced recesses of the other plate, and the said intermediate corrugations on the latter plate engaging in the said intermediate recesses onf -the other plate, said corrugationsv forming a continuous key-Way, and -a key of fusible material in said key-Way.

- 14. A fusible link consisting of a pluralit)T of iutermeshing elements; and a barof relatively fusible material extending through theintermeshing portions of said elements to lock them together.

15. A fusible link consisting of a plurality of elements,` of which at least Aone is provided with a portion projecting into the other; with a body of relatively fusible inaterial extending into said projecting portion to lock it to the second element.

1G. A fusible flink consisting of aplurality of plates each having at least one projecting portion extending into another plate v ith a body of relatively fusible material extending through said projecting portions to lock the elements together.

17. A fusible link consisting of a plurality of elements, of which at least one is provided with a bent out strip extending into another plate; with a body of fusible material extending through the passa e between the strip and the body of the a jacent element to lock together said elements.

1S. A fusible link consisting of a lurality of elements, each having a plura ity of bent out strip portions; with a bar of fusible material extending through the channels formed bysaid bent out strip portions to lock the elements together.

ing through their intermeshng portions 'tolock ther'n together. l.

In witness whlrepf, Iflave hrelinto `.set m hand this t a o ay 1913. y Annina o. oWLiiY.

Witnesses:

-ADDISON IRWIN GARDNER, ALEXANDeR PARK. 

